Podcast Summary: "Disgraceful with Grace O'Malley" Episode: Bert Kreischer: Tour Life, HR Violations, and Being a Girl Dad Release Date: March 20, 2025

Introduction

In this engaging episode of DisGRACEful with Grace O'Malley, host Grace O'Malley welcomes comedian Bert Kreischer as her guest. The episode delves into various facets of Bert's life as a comedian, his experiences on tour, handling mental health, navigating online interactions, and his role as a father. Throughout the conversation, Grace and Bert share anecdotes, insights, and humorous reflections that offer listeners a deep dive into the highs and lows of life in comedy.

Mental Health and the Transition Off Tour

Grace begins by discussing her mental health journey, particularly the challenges she faced after stopping touring. She shares:

Grace O'Malley [01:35]: "My mental health is good now. It's good. It's good now, but, man, I think when I got off the road and stopped touring, I got, like, depression because I wasn't. I didn't have that immediate reaction with all the fans."

Key Points:

• Impact of Touring: Grace highlights how constant interaction with fans while touring provided her with immediate feedback and adrenaline, which she struggled to replace after taking a break.
• Adrenaline and Satisfaction: She emphasizes that nothing compares to the rush of walking into a room filled with fans, suggesting that performing is her primary source of fulfillment.

Grace O'Malley [02:00]: "Nothing's better. It doesn't get better."

Handling Online Comments and Public Perception

The conversation shifts to Grace's relationship with online feedback. She recounts a difficult period where she engaged with social media comments, leading to increased stress and a disconnect from her fan base.

Grace O'Malley [02:12]: "I remember one day I was like, I read a shitty comment on Instagram. It kind of got my head."

Key Points:

• Disconnecting from Social Media: Grace explains how she stepped away from reading comments to protect her mental health, feeling that it alienated her from her fans.
• Balance Between Criticism and Support: She discusses the challenge of sifting through negative comments and the impact of isolated negative feedback versus overall fan support.

The Comedy Writing Process

Grace delves into the intricacies of crafting a joke, highlighting her love for the creative process rather than just the performance.

Grace O'Malley [03:14]: "More than anything, the thing you love. My favorite thing isn't. It's not killing. It's figuring it out."

Key Points:

• Creative Process: She describes her enthusiasm for developing and refining jokes, enjoying the moments of realization and improvement.
• Challenges in Writing: Grace shares anecdotes about failed jokes and the persistence required to make a performance work seamlessly.

Grace O'Malley [04:05]: "And then one night in Columbus, Ohio... That’s my favorite part of stand up right there."

Touring Life and Team Dynamics

The episode provides an inside look into the logistics and camaraderie involved in life on tour. Grace discusses her tour setup, the roles within her team, and the joy she finds in the collective experience.

Grace O'Malley [09:11]: "We do three tours, we have one is crew, two is crew, and then one is me."

Key Points:

• Tour Team Structure: Grace explains the composition of her touring team, including crew members, tour managers, and assistants.
• Enjoyment of Arena Shows: She expresses her love for arena performances, appreciating the scale and the unified energy of large venues.

Grace O'Malley [10:53]: "One thing about you, you are a good time."

Interactions with Fellow Comedians

Grace and Bert share stories about their interactions with other comedians, emphasizing mutual respect and the competitive yet supportive nature of the comedy community.

Grace O'Malley [16:06]: "But living in arena with me... Everyone that ever done it has always been like, this is amazing."

Key Points:

• Mutual Admiration: Both Grace and Bert highlight the talent and dedication of their peers, celebrating those who excel in arena settings.
• Comedic Relationships: They discuss the balance between being a "good time" and maintaining professionalism within their network.

Hosting and Interview Experiences

Grace recounts her experiences with hosting and participating in interviews, both successful and challenging. She shares specific instances where interviews didn't go as planned but ultimately led to positive outcomes.

Grace O'Malley [18:35]: "And I was like, mom and I are getting ready to head to Colorado... Please disregard this text. Obviously this was meant for my D."

Key Points:

• Navigating Interviews: Grace discusses the nuances of being on various shows, dealing with unexpected situations, and maintaining her comedic persona.
• Humorous Mishaps: She shares lighthearted stories about mistaken identities and the ensuing comedic moments that arise from such errors.

Relationship with Family and Parenting

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to Grace's role as a mother and the dynamics of her relationship with her daughters. She candidly discusses moments of oversharing, privacy, and the challenges of maintaining a healthy parent-child relationship amidst her public persona.

Grace O'Malley [33:09]: "I told my daughter on Conan. I was like, dad, are you being serious?"

Key Points:

• Balancing Professional and Personal Life: Grace reflects on how her career impacts her parenting, sharing personal stories that blend humor with heartfelt moments.
• Reconnecting with Daughters: She talks about efforts to rebuild and strengthen her relationship with her daughters, especially during pivotal life events.

Therapy and Personal Growth

The duo explores the topic of mental health beyond touring, delving into Grace's personal experiences with therapy and the importance of seeking help.

Tommy [40:35]: "I just recently had a thing with my... my pops."

Key Points:

• Therapy Experiences: Grace and Bert discuss their initial attempts at therapy, the benefits of having supportive friends, and the shortcomings they encountered with traditional therapy methods.
• Support Systems: Emphasis is placed on the value of community and friendships in personal growth and mental well-being.

Grace O'Malley [66:15]: "And that conversation is like the greatest... that speech was so pivotal to me."

Nicknames and Personal Branding

Grace shares her love for nicknames and how they contribute to her comedic identity. She illustrates how nicknames can serve as alter egos, adding depth and humor to her persona.

Grace O'Malley [69:15]: "You absolutely can."

Key Points:

• Creating Alter Egos: Grace explains the creative process behind adopting various nicknames and the comedic potential they hold.
• Impact on Personal Branding: She discusses how nicknames like "Birdie Boy" become integral parts of her brand, fostering a unique and relatable image.

Grace O'Malley [70:14]: "It's the right way to say it."

Closing Thoughts and Future Plans

As the episode draws to a close, Grace promotes her upcoming Netflix special, "Lucky," and reflects on the importance of continuous personal and professional development.

Grace O'Malley [82:08]: "I got a new special. It's called Lucky. It's on Netflix, March 18th."

Key Points:

• Upcoming Projects: Grace highlights her new work, encouraging listeners to engage with her latest content.
• Final Reflections: She shares inspirational thoughts on rebuilding and evolving in her career, emphasizing resilience and adaptability.

Notable Quotes

• Grace O'Malley [03:14]: "More than anything, the thing you love. My favorite thing isn't. It's not killing. It's figuring it out."
• Grace O'Malley [10:53]: "One thing about you, you are a good time."
• Grace O'Malley [18:35]: "Please disregard this text. Obviously this was meant for my D."
• Grace O'Malley [33:09]: "I told my daughter on Conan. I was like, dad, are you being serious?"
• Grace O'Malley [69:15]: "You absolutely can."
• Grace O'Malley [82:08]: "I got a new special. It's called Lucky. It's on Netflix, March 18th."

Conclusion

This episode of DisGRACEful with Grace O'Malley offers a candid and humorous exploration of the complexities of a comedian's life. Through heartfelt stories and witty banter, Grace and Bert Kreischer provide listeners with an authentic look into the challenges and triumphs of touring, personal relationships, and the ever-evolving journey of personal growth. Whether you're a fan of comedy or interested in the behind-the-scenes aspects of the entertainment world, this episode delivers both laughs and meaningful insights.

Note: All timestamps correspond to the moments in the provided transcript where the quotes and topics are discussed.